News-Antique.com - Jun 05,2012 - (MT. CRAWFORD, Va.) - A pattern-molded and engraved sugar bowl and cover, attributed to Bakewell, Page & Bakewell and made circa 1820-1835, soared to $8,625 at an auction dedicated to 18th and 19th century glass and lighting held May 19 by Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, in the firm's gallery located at 2177 Green Valley Lane in Mt. Crawford. The bowl and cover were the top lot of the 882 items sold.

The firm also held sales on back-to-back days in April. The April 28 event featured 18th and 19th century lighting (headlined by the second half of the Meyer lighting collection), while the April 29 auction saw the sale of the Phillip Sullivan lantern collection. All three sales were successes, as Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates specializes in 18th-20th century glass and lighting, Southern decorative arts, Americana, art and antiques.

The May 19 sale – the annual early glass and lighting auction – was particularly special this year because it combined with the National American Glass Club's 2012 seminar that Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates hosted in neighboring Harrisonburg. Two days of historic and private collections tours, a day of lectures at the company gallery plus the auction kept attendees busy and enthralled all weekend.

“The seminar turnout was fantastic,” said Jeffrey S. Evans. “Members flew in from California, New England, Florida, Canada and England.” He added, “The auction performed as we expected. The market for bottles and flasks continues to be very hot, as is the demand for free-blown wares, especially when a strong attribution can be made. Also hot are open salts from the early pressed and lacy periods.”

Mr. Evans cautioned other categories of glass collecting are “off probably by 50 percent from the pre-recession market, which is pretty much in line with most other types of antiques today.” But he said it's a situation that presents an opportune time to acquire quality 19th century glass at wholesale prices. “Collectors are beginning to recognize the great values out there. Now is a great time to buy.”

The April and May auctions were all absolute, meaning everything sold, regardless of price. The May 19 sale had 66 bidders in attendance, plus 223 people registered to bid online (through LiveAuctioneers.com). Internet activity accounted for 1,912 submitted bids. There were 1,696 total alternate bids (including phone, absentee and online left bids) and absentee bidders totaled 137 people. In all, the auction grossed right at $228,500.

Following are additional highlights from the May 19 auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer's premium.

A free-blown saucer-base whale oil lamp, colorless, made circa 1825-1830 by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (and others), with a folded rim and rough pontil mark, with just a hint of wear to the font, went for $6,325; and a blown-molded creamer (GIII-24), with a deep cobalt blue body and colorless handle, also made by Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (circa 1820-1840), changed hands for $5,750.